Leslie Landers

I enjoyed watching surfers and picnickers come and go as I painted this above Manresa State Beach. I spent much of the time looking at the angles and shadows of the life guard tower quickly dashing in the figures at the end.

I so appreciate the twists and turns of our California manzanitas. I painted this one in the fall at the home of a painter friend.

The name of this creek is apt if not creative. This plein air piece was painted alongside the Rock Creek that is in the Eastern Sierra. I loved the glowing grasses and the glimpses of peaks and mostly the sounds of the flowing water.

This was painted just below Lover’s Point is Pacific Grove which is one of my favorite places to paint. I was drawn to the particular color the water takes on when it hits the sandy bottom surrounded by the rocks. I made a few changes back at the studio because the incoming tide told me my time on location was up.

I donated this piece to the Coral Reef Alliance who sold it as part of a recent fundraiser. CORAL.org is working to save the world’s coral reefs which are under serious and increasing threat. There are many joys I receive from painting and being able to make this contribution is one more.

In this plein air piece (painted just north of Half Moon Bay) is focused on the shape of the trees and profusion of foreground texture. I decided to make room for a sliver of the ocean in the distance to give us a sense of place.